Railway switch



196? L- F. CHADENSON 3,

RAILWAY SWITCH Filed Jan. 15, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fioai.

1 1 I 1 i I 1 I i 1 I i l 1 I 1 l I- i i T I arch 21, 1967 L. F. CHADENSON RAILWAY SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 15, 1965 arch 21, 1967 L. F. CHADENSON RAILWAY SWITCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 15, 1965 March 1967 1.. F. CHADENSON 3,31

4 RAILWAY SWITCH Filed Jan. 15, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Marc-E1 21, 1967 L. F. CHADEINSON 3,310,004

RAILWAY SWITCH I Filed Jan. 15, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,310,004 RAILWAY SWITCH Lucien Felix Chadenson, Paris, France, assignor to Societe Auouyme Safege-Transport, Paris, France Filed Ian. 15, 1965, Ser. No. 425,714 6 Claims. (Cl. 104130) This invention relates to railway switching devices and is, more particularly, a further development of the switch disclosed and claimed in my Patent No. 3,095,827.

The switch of my prior patent is suitable for railway systems in which the vehicles are equipped with carrier wheels mounted on pneumatic tires and with guide means such as wheels generally but not exclusively horizontal provided preferably with tires, mounted on the frame or on each bogie truck of the vehicle and engaging lateral guiding surfaces extending at right angles to the wheelsupporting surfaces and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rolling surface; said switch comprises a movable member adapted to pivot about a vertical axis situated at the point of crossing of the inner guiding tracks of the direct line and of the branch line, means for locking said movable member in two end positions, one end position corresponding to the passage to the direct line, the other to the branch line, said movable member consisting in turn of at least two elements in longitudinal relative alignment, the second element pivoting in relation to the first element about a vertical axis, each one of these elements being bound laterally by a plane vertical face on the side of the direct line and by a curved vertical face having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the branch line, on the side of the branch line, and means for interconnecting these two elements whereby, in each one of the end positions in which they can be locked, which correspond to the direct line and to the branch line respectively, the outer vertical surface of the second element lies against the outer guiding track of the inoperative line, and the inner vertical surfaces of the two elements are in longitudinal alignment with each other and with the inner guiding track of the operative line.

The present invention has for an object a switch of a similar type where the connection between the two elements of the mobile piece and the disposition of said guiding surfaces on each of them is such that in each of the end positions in which these two elements can be locked, corresponding to the direct line or to the branch line, the external face of the point will be applied for its entire length, from its pivoting axis with respect to the heel to its free end, against the outer guiding path of the inoperative line and that the inner guiding plane or curved surfaces of the point and of the heel, are in the prolongation of one another and in that of the inner guiding path of the operative line.

A switch device with such a mobile piece can be suitable for a railroad with suspended vehicles as well as for a railroad with carried vehicles, both guided laterally. In the second case the zone comprised between the guiding paths may be used without restriction to establish therein the rolling paths.

On the other hand, if it is a question of a railroad with suspended vehicles comprising two rolling paths separated by a longitudinal slot through which pass the suspension rods of the vehicles anchored on bogie trucks rolling on the said rolling paths, the mobile part of the switch must comprise, in addition to the guiding paths, rolling paths permitting the carrying wheels of the vehicles to clear the slot of the idle line. To that end, the heel of the mobile piece, described above, of the switch device has on the outside of the surfaces constituting the guiding paths and in the lower part of the latter flanges intended to constitute rolling paths perpendicular to the guiding paths.

A longitudinal channel is provided in the fixed external guiding surfaces of the direct line and of the branch line, just above their stationary rolling paths, to permit passage in the two end positions which the switch can have, in the direct line and in the branch line, for the flange of the heel of the mobile piece mentioned above which is not utilized as rolling path in the position in question of the said heel. The other flange of this heel is then utilized as rolling path joining, by a suitable mobile device, the fixed inner rolling path of the operative line and prolonging the same.

According to a second feature of the present invention each of the two mobile devices is constituted by a section of the said inner rolling path of the operative line, pivoting by so as to finally take a position, in plane and longitudinal profile, in the prolongation of the inner rolling path of the heel aforesaid of the mobile piece of the switch device.

The point of the mobile piece which has, as stated above, a plane and a curved surface serving as guiding supports does not have, on the other hand, lower flanges capable of serving as rolling paths like that of Patent No. 3,095,827. Along this point the rolling paths are constituted by both of the mobile devices described above.

According to another feature of the invention the switch device may be constituted, like that of Patent No. 3,095,827, in such a way that in the direct line the two rolling paths will be from end to end generally plane and horizontal while in the branch line the inner rolling path is elevated and the outer rolling path depressed so as to obtain an appropriate superelevation.

Suitable controls for manipulation and devices for locking the switch are provided. Likewise the switch may be provided with suitable mechanical means permitting its automatic operation by trains.

The accompanying drawings show by way of example an embodiment of the invention for suspension railways.

FIG. 1 shows in plan view the parts of the direct and branch lines of the switch device, the mobile piece of the switch being removed.

FIG. 2 shows the profile lengthwise of the axes of the outer rolling tracks of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in perspective of the mobile piece of the switch device.

FIG. 4 is a view in cross section of the heel, taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 7 are plan views of the above mentioned mobile connecting devices of the direct line and of the branch line, respectively.

FIGS. 6 and 8 are views in cross section taken, respectively, along the lines VIVI and VIIIVIII of FIGS. 5 and 7.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are plan views showing the switch device in direct line and on branch line positions, respectively.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show partially in plan, with part cut away, the control for the mobile locking connection in the two positions which it can occupy.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of the articulation of the point of the switch on the heel.

FIG. 14 is a view in longitudinal section taken through a vertical plane passing through the axis of said articulation.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show in elevation and in plan the devices controlling the switch.

The switch device as illustrated ensures the passage of trains coming from track 1 either on direct line 2 or on branch line 3, or vice versa.

The central mobile piece 19 is constituted by two elements articulated about an axis 26.

One of these elements, 32, is the point of the switch device. The other element 31 is the heel of the switch device. This heel which has a cross section in the form of an inverted T has a web and two lower bedplates or flanges 24 and 25 serving as rolling paths as was stated above. The point has only a web. It does not have lower flanges capable of serving as rolling paths. Under these conditions the continuity of the rolling and guiding surfaces is insured as stated hereafter.

The rolling surfaces are, respectively:

When the switching is done on direct line (FIG. 9)

On track 1 the fixed surfaces 4 and 5; the mobile connecting pieces which are then in position 4111 and 5m On the mobile piece of the switch 19, the flange 24 of the heel 31 And on the track 2 the fixed surfaces 6 and 7. When the switching is done on a branch line (FIG. 10) On track 1, the fixed surfaces 4 and 5; the mobile connecting pieces which are then in position 4112 and 5m On the mobile piece of the switch 19 the flange 25 of the heel 31 And on track 3, the fixed surfaces 8 and 9. The guiding surfaces are, respectively: When the switching is done on direct line (FIG. 9)

On track 1, the fixed surfaces 10 and 11 On the mobile piece of the switch 19, the lateral surfaces 22b and 22a of the webs of the heel 31 and of the point 32, respectively On line 2, the fixed surfaces 12 and 13. When the switching is done on a branch line (FIG. 10)

On track 1, the fixed surfaces 11 and 11 On the mobile piece of the switch 19, the lateral surfaces 23b and 23a of the webs of the heel 31 and of the point 32, respectively On line 3, the fixed surfaces 14 and 15.

On a branch line, the outer rolling surfaces 5, Sm and 9 and inner ones 4, 4/77 25- and 8 are inclined transversely and their longitudinal axes are arranged so as to realize the superelevation of the branch track and the connections at level with the adjacent alignments.

On the direct line, the inner rolling surface 5, 5111;, 24, 7 are at the same level 0 for the entire length of the switch; the outer rolling surface 4, 4m 6 the longitudinal axis of which remains at the said level 0 has the feature of being on a portion of the length of dru and for a fraction of 6 inclined transversely to its longitudinal axis so as to realize the support of the heel of the mobile piece on the branch line.

The two flanges forming the rolling surfaces 24 and 25 of the heel of the switch are fixed on said lateral surfaces 22b and 23b of the web of the heel 31 and on the lower part of this heel of the mobile piece 19. One of these rolling surfaces 24, has its axis rectilinear. The axis of the other opposite rolling surface 25 is drawn curvilinear in the same manner as the adjacent lateral face 2317, drawn generally but not exclusively circular and concentric with the axis of the branch line. The point 32 of said mobile piece 19 does not have, as was stated above, rolling surfaces of its own. To the right of this point the rolling surfaces are formed by the above mentioned mobile connecting devices 4m and m.

The two lateral faces 23a and 23b of the webs of the point 32 and of the heel 31 are drawn on both sides of the aforesaid articulation 26 along curvilinear segments, generally but not exclusively circular and concentric with the axis of the branch track.

The two opposite lateral faces of the webs of this point 32 and of this heel 31 have on both sides of the aforesaid articulation 26 two rectilinear parts 22a and 221).

In this way, when the switching is on direct line, the

curvilinear lateral face 23a of the web of the point 32 rests for its entrie length against the curvilinear and concentric guiding surface of the branch line. This guiding surface 11 has in its lower part a longitudinal channel to permit passage of the inner flange forming the rolling track 25 of the heel.

When the switching is on a branch line, the rectilinear lateral surface 22a of the web of the point 32 rests for its entire length against the rectilinear guiding surface 10 of the direct line. This guiding surface 10 has in its lower part a longitudinal channel to permit passage of the lower bedplate forming the rolling track 24 of the heel.

The continuity of the rolling and guiding surfaces being thus assured, the switch is furthermore arranged, as has been said above, so that the rolling surfaces will be level for a direct line and furnish a suitable superelevation for a branch line.

FIGS. 2 to 6 indicate the profiles given for this purpose to said surfaces. However, the-re might be conceived other associations of profiles lengthwise and crosswise with respect to the fixed and mobile parts providing the same result.

The central piece 19, mobile in rotation about a main axis 20, can, if the length of the radius of the branch line requires it and consequently if the length of the said central piece 19 requires it, have not a single articulation 26 but two articulations separating the said central piece 18 into three parts articulated with one another. The modifications made in the guiding and rolling surfaces are deduced simply from the elongation of the mobile piece and the addition of this supplementary articulation, the principle being evidently maintained of limiting the length of the rolling surfaces of the mobile piece to the lengths strictly necessary to ensure the continuity of the rolling surfaces, account being taken of the mobile devices above mentioned, articulated on the fixed rolling paths of the direct and branch lines.

Appropriate and furthermore customary devices are also provided to ensure:

(a) On the one hand, the lifting of the central mobile piece 19 before its rotary movement about its main axis 20. The lifting is necessary to avoid the friction of the mobile pieces against the fixed parts. This lifting is likewise necessary to ensure the correct placement of the mobile piece 19 on the fixed parts of the direct and branch lines without having to fear blocking of the mobile piece against the fixed parts, which blocking might result from the play of the axes and articulations as well as from deformations of the structures. This lifting can be done parallel to the shaft 20 or by rocking about either an articulation situated at the lower end of the shaft 20 and perpendicular to this shaft or of a swivel joint 20a situated in a position at the lower end of the shaft 20. This lifting or this rocking may be effected in particular and depending on circumstances by cams or by lifting jacks with movements parallel to the shaft 24} or by levers or pushers acting either on the shaft 20 or on the heel of the mobile piece 19 or on the articulation 26 or on a manipulating tail 33 prolonging said heel on the other side of the shaft 20 or the joint 20a and the end of which could in particular be moved on a guiding ramp the suitable outline of which would be of such nature as to guide the lifting or lowering movements as well as those of rotation.

(b) On the other hand, the rotary movements aforesaid, and finally.

(c) The locking movements either in direct line position or in branch line position. Said locking operations are of cource associated with the devices for controlling the signaling and more generally the safety of the movements of operation.

The shaft 20 or the swivel joint 20a are supported by the fixed structure of the rolling paths 7 and 8 and guiding paths 13 and 14 at the point of intersection of the said inner guiding paths of the direct line and of the branch line.

In the case of rocking, the pressure of a push rod formed as is shown in FIGS, 3 and 15, of a small roller 34 as well as of an elastic device 35Belleville washers for examplereleased by the unlocking of the switch is applied to the fixed structure of the rolling and guiding tracks causes the slight rocking upward of the mobile piece 19, which rocking must be effected before turning said piece 19.

In the case where a swivel joint a is utilized, the rotation of the mobile piece 19 is a conical movement about an axis perpendicular to the plane of support of the mobile piece on the fixed structures of the track. The angle at the center of this cone is less than 1. The fixed apex of the cone thus described is the swivel joint 20a situated in the lower part of the mobile piece 19. In the upper part of this mobile piece 19 and opposite the swivel joint 20a a stub 20b moves in a suitable seat supported by the fixed structure of the guide paths 13 and 14.

The mobile piece 19 is prolonged on the other side of the swivel joint 20a by a manipulating tail 33 on which the device for manipulating the rotation of the said mobile piece 19 is fastened (FIGS. 15 and 16).

This device for manipulating the rotation of the central mobile piece 19 is composed of a motor, generally but not exclusively electric 27, which by a reduction gear and a transmission of suitable nature ensures the rotation of the switch. This transmission may be either a group of pinions and a chain or a circular rack or a system of connecting rods or any similar customary means. This transmission, which may likewise be hydraulic, may have at the end of movement the usual shock absorbing means.

When the central mobile piece 19, after moving as far as its can, will apply its lateral face, either 22a or 23a, against the fixed guiding surfaces 10 or 11 respectively, the point 32 of the central mobile piece 19 is applied strongly on the said fixed guiding surfaces 10 or 11 by the action of elastic stops 28 concentric to the articulation 26 and keyed res ectively on the point 32 and on the heel 31 of the mobile piece 19 actuated by the motor mechanism 27.

FIGS. 5 and 7 show the mobile devices 4m and 5m which connect the fixed rolling paths 4 and 5 to the rolling paths 24 and 25 of the heel 31 of the central mobile piece 19 of the switch and to the rolling paths 6 and 9 of the fixed structures of the track. To that end each of them is mobile about a support 41 or 51 carried respectively by the rolling paths 4 and 5 mentioned above. Their movement is guided in plan and in profile by ramps carried by the fixed structures 6 and 9 and in such a way as to insure the continuity of the longitudinal rolling axes either on direct or on branch track. The supports 41 or 51, of an ordinary type, swivel joint or other, are arranged accordingly.

The movemeent of the mobile devices 4m and 5m is connected to that of the central mobile piece 19 itself by means of connections of a usual type, either mechanical or hydraulic or electric. The same is true of the locking of these mobile devices 4m and SW: at the end of movement. These connections, furthermore, can act only in a single direction of motion, the reverse motion can be assured by elastic means subjected to preliminary compression by the preceding movement, linked to that of the central mobile piece 19.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 14 a pivoting lever 29 can, when the rolling surface 24 of the heel 31 comes to strike against its lug 29a, cause by its lug 2% the pivoting of the mobile connecting device 4m which passes from the position 4m in which it is shown in FIG. 12 to the position 4m in which it is shown in FIG. 11 permitting in this case operation of the line 2, and in the other case of line 3; the spring 30 insures the return from position 4m;, to position 4m when the switch returns to the position shown in FIG. 10 to that shown in FIG. 9, the elastic joints 28 preventing any striking between the point 32 and the heel 31.

The locking of the switch at end of motion causes by a slight rocking downward of the mobile piece 19 about the lower end of the shaft 20 or the swivel joint 20a, the correct support of the mobile central piece 19 on the fixed structures of the rolling track either direct or branch. It causes likewise the subjection to compression of the small roller 34 and of its elastic device 35.

This locking, either on direct line or on branch line, is assured at the articulation 26 by bolts a and 50b actuated either directly by electric or hydraulic devices or at a distance by rod systems set in motion by the motor mechanism 27 of the switch (see FIGS. 15 and 16). This locking insures that the mobile pieces on direct or on branch line are placed in correct position both in plane as well as level, and it immobilizes said mobile piece so as to oppose in plane or in level any movement not controlled.

To sum up, the operation of shifting the switch from one position to the opposite one requires three successive manipulations:

(1) Unlocking the switch and rocking upward of the central mobile piece 19 of the switch by actuating the bolts 50a and 50b, then the rocking device 34 and 35.

(2) General rotation, about the axis 20 or the swivel joint 20a, of the whole of the two parts point 32 and heel 31 of the central mobile piece 19 by the action of the motor mechanism 27. This rotation causes the adequate movement of the mobile connecting devices 4111 and 5m.

(3) Application of the point" 32 of the central mobile piece 19 to the lateral supporting surface 11 on direct track, 10 on branch track, rocking downward and locking the central mobile piece 19 of the switch by the action of the bolts 511a and 50b which load by compression the devices 34 and 35. This locking causes the corresponding locking of the mobile connecting devices 4m and 5m. The manipulation of displacement described above is normally operated and controlled by the customary railroad devices.

It can likewise be caused, 'besides this control, by the trains themselves which thus trail the switch by the action of track pedals actuating by a suitable mechanical connection an accumulator of mechanical or pneumatic or hydraulic power which eifect the three manipulations mentioned above, the motor of the mechanism 27 mentioned above not intervening,

It must be borne in mind that the present invention is applicable to vehicles guided laterally as well as to those the bodies of which are suspended by their bogies below their rolling tracks and to conventional vehicles the bodies of which are supported by their bogies rolling above their rolling tracks. The only differences between these two cases concern the disposition of the suitable mechanisms mentioned above relative to the lifting, the rotation and the locking of the central mobile piece, mechanisms the positioning of which is respectively modified so as not to exceed the free spaces provided for the passage of the vehicles rolling or suspended by their bogies or supported by the latter.

It is understood, of course, that the embodiments of the invention which have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, have been given purely by way of example and that numerous modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the present invention; thus it is, in particular, that although it is a question in the said method of realization of a switch device between a direct line and a branch line, the invention is applicable just as well to the case where the two lines are branched, the rectilinear guiding and rolling surfaces being then replaced by curved surfaces.

I claim:

1. A switching device for railway systems in which the vehicles are equipped with carrier wheels mounted on pneumatic tires and with guide means such as wheels generally but not exclusively horizontal provided preferably with tires, mounted on the frame or on each bogie truck of the vehicle and engaging lateral guiding surfaces extending at right angles to the wheel-supporting surfaces and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rolling surface, said device comprising a movable member adapted to pivot about a vertical axis situated at the point of crossing of the inner guiding tracks of the direct line and of the branch line; means for locking said movable member in two end positions, one end position corresponding to the passage to the direct line, the other to the branch line; said movable member consisting of at least a first and second element in longitudinal relative alignment, the second element pivoting in relation to the first element about a vertical axis, each one of said elements being bound laterally by a plane vertical face on the side of the direct line and by a curved vertical face having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the branch line on the side of the branch line, and means for interconnecting said two elements whereby, in each one of the end positions in which they can be locked, which correspond to the direct line and to the branch line, respectively, the outer vertical surface of the second element lies against the outer guiding track of the inoperative line, and the inner vertical surfaces of the two elements are in longitudinal alignment with each other and with the inner guiding track of the operative line, only said first element of the movable member being provided with wheel supporting surfaces projecting laterally from both sides of the lower portion thereof; and other movable wheel supporting surfaces pivotally attached to the fixed inner supporting track of the operative line for selectively coacting with said second element of said movable member.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein the arrangement is such that in the direct line position the two wheel-supporting tracks are disposed end to end and generally horizontally, and that in the branch line position the outer wheel-supporting track is slightly raised and the inner wheel-supporting track is slightly lowered, in order to provide the proper cant.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said other wheel-supporting surfaces are elongated and are attached to one end to the tracks by a vertical pivot.

4. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein said other wheel-supporting surfaces are slidably supported along their lengths on laterally inclined surfaces.

5. The invention as defined in claim 3, wherein actuating means responsive to movement of the other of the two elements of the first-mentioned movable member is provided for selectively moving said other wheel-supporting surfaces.

6. The invention as defined in claim 5, wherein said actuating means includes an arm mounted for movement about a medial vertical axis, one end of the arm being engaged by said other element, the other end of the arm being engaged by the other wheel-supporting surface, whereby movement of the other element in one direction moves a respective wheel-supporting surface in the opposite direction.

No references cited.

ARTHUR L. LA POINT, Primary Examiner.

I. E. BABER, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SWITCHING DEVICE FOR RAILWAY SYSTEMS IN WHICH THE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH CARRIER WHEELS MOUNTED ON PNEUMATIC TIRES AND WITH GUIDE MEANS SUCH AS WHEELS GENERALLY BUT NOT EXCLUSIVELY HORIZONTAL PROVIDED PREFERABLY WITH TIRES, MOUNTED ON THE FRAME OR ON EACH BOGIE TRUCK OF THE VEHICLE AND ENGAGING LATERAL GUIDING SURFACES EXTENDING AT RIGHT ANGLES TO THE WHEEL-SUPPORTING SURFACES AND PARALLEL TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE ROLLING SURFACE, SAID DEVICE COMPRISING A MOVABLE MEMBER ADAPTED TO PIVOT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS SITUATED AT THE POINT OF CROSSING OF THE INNER GUIDING TRACKS OF THE DIRECT LINE AND OF THE BRANCH LINE; MEANS FOR LOCKING SAID MOVABLE MEMBER IN TWO END POSITIONS, ONE END POSITION CORRESPONDING TO THE PASSAGE TO THE DIRECT LINE, THE OTHER TO THE BRANCH LINE; SAID MOVABLE MEMBER CONSISTING OF AT LEAST A FIRST AND SECOND ELEMENT IN LONGITUDINAL RELATIVE ALIGNMENT, THE SECOND ELEMENT PIVOTING IN RELATION TO THE FIRST ELEMENT ABOUT A VERTICAL AXIS, EACH ONE OF SAID ELEMENTS BEING BOUND LATERALLY BY A PLANE VERTICAL FACE ON THE SIDE OF THE DIRECT LINE AND BY A CURVED VERTICAL FACE HAVING A CURVATURE CORRESPONDING TO THE CURVATURE OF THE BRANCH LINE ON THE SIDE OF THE BRANCH LINE, AND MEANS FOR INTERCONNECTING SAID TWO ELEMENTS WHEREBY, IN EACH ONE OF THE END POSITIONS IN WHICH THEY CAN BE LOCKED, WHICH CORRESPOND TO THE DIRECT LINE AND TO THE BRANCH LINE, RESPECTIVELY, THE OUTER VERTICAL SURFACE OF THE SECOND ELEMENT LIES AGAINST THE OUTER GUIDING TRACK OF THE INOPERATIVE LINE, AND THE INNER VERTICAL SURFACES OF THE TWO ELEMENTS ARE IN LONGITUDINAL ALIGNMENT WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH THE INNER GUIDING TRACK OF THE OPERATIVE LINE, ONLY SAID FIRST ELEMENT OF THE MOVABLE MEMBER BEING PROVIDED WITH WHEEL SUPPORTING SURFACES PROJECTING LATERALLY FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE LOWER PORTION THEREOF; AND OTHER MOVABLE WHEEL SUPPORTING SURFACES PIVOTALLY AT TACHED TO THE FIXED INNER SUPPORTING TRACK OF THE OPERATIVE LINE FOR SELECTIVELY COACTING WITH SAID SECOND ELEMENT OF SAID MOVABLE MEMBER. 